Tire cover



- Oct; 25, 1938. G, A, YQN 2,134,464

' TIRE COVER i Filed March 7; 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet l En im 4" EFEEDF G. A. LYON 2,134,464

TIRE covR Filed March 7, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 25, 1938. G. A. LYON 2,134,464

TIRE COVER Filed March '7, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 [/E :DF

` Patented Oct. 25, 1938 y were TIRE COVER."i A K' GeorgeAlbertf Lyon-,fvDetroit, Michi, assignerl to lyon.I Incorporated; DetrotfMich., af. coipora tion; of Delaware l Application March 7i inventionhas'todowith tire covers and" syconcerned'j moreA particularly4 with an improve'dtire' cover"constructionl and animproved u" metl'lodof making the same. Y

It" is arr objectoftheinvention to'providefan improved tire cover" construction for a spare tire mounted` in" an automobile fender Well or' other' automobile;` sparetire receptacle; p p It isf-an object?oftlieinvention to" provide a 1(`f"clanr shell typerof i cover which` may' be' shoved down` overtlie part* of vafzspare tire exposed above agwell and thereafter? clampedL into* proper' tire protecting position. Y

It `is a' further 'object of* the invention to v lfprovide an unitary,` vmultipart tire cover conn structionof the clam' Shelli type adapted t'o co1 operateWitltlie-ifender Wellat the month there# ofinsubstantially enclosing' the exposed4` part' of?thejspare''Wl'ieeland'tiref.'v p Vj' It is' also-an-fobject ofthe` invention't'oprovide' a' coverfor cooperation with' a fend`er`vve1l` iorasparetire, the construction beingsuch'that@ the'cover mayV-bejof"anextentinot substantially eX'ceedingilBDm and" yetj being provided with 251 means-for firmly"holdingthesame connected: with .theJ fendersto shield the otherwise exposed part"of'the@spare-` WlieeIan'djtire.' i

Another objecti of: the inventionL involves the"- provision' of' a; clam" shell type of cover" embody;

` `wiping"resilient meansfonjurging" thepartstovvard each other and* thus into proper cooperative `re'- laltio'n;Withthe'spare-tire: i

"Anotherjobjectfpofithe invention involves the provision" offa multiipart' tire; covericonstruction lgowherein" the parts" are "iiexibly hinged together:

It alsoan'objectofftheinvention' to pro vide""a tire" cover 'of thejclass'4 described'in ,clo-A operationf with a" fender" Well, With means' 'for preventirig rattling' between the' parts'.`

Another object of the invention involvesan improved methodl of" making a tire coverhoodl for substantiallykenclosing the part;of a spare"` tire` andrwheel norrna'llyy projectingV clear offfa- Well, such"asLafender-Well.'

5I-1' lIn"accordanceWithfthegeneralTeatures'of the invention; a pieceioff,sl'ieetmaterialsucl'i as sheet metalfis blanked orstamped' fout into the shape of* a shallow disli."` This'piece isftlienfcutsub-r stantiall `diai'netrically toform ttvo'substantialv 50h15 identical halvesl of genemllisend-circularY shaqlefV Tlese halves are'-placed in" juxtaposition to'l'eaclifotherl vvitli the-"substantiallysemi-circular" edges' l lapped somewhat andI with the inner sidewallslzfacingfeach other? springwor other' 55k snitable#flexiblerstrapl is'rsecured to vthehriin gpor-A to accommodate tires of different Widths and 1936,Y Serial No. 67,655 3: claims. (01; 22o-'295;

tions `ofthe members'in a position bridging the lapped margins; preferably iat" a. point'A substantiaily spaced. fromihe" ends` of the" sterili-circles,Y impartingY to the complete" structurejthe' shape andi operation', Which4` justiesthe descriptive 5"@-1 term c'lamshel1.'I V"Sl'iould' the're'quirements call for :a clam shellvtype of coverj of aaperipheral extent inexc'essj/of 1230";` it" isnecessary to form tl'i'e'` dished member with one" aXis longer than theother andv tof 'cut the member'` along theA 1W' shorter" axis- `Ol'gifitis desired to` constructl a cover in `accor!liano-e` with tliepresent invention so' that`` ti'e""co'ver' i's less" than '180W' in' 'extenti thev periphery of.the member may have the'ap' pearan'ce of"`two. arcsprefferably of equalextent 15" andi'eaclfijless than 180" in extent'. `Inthe for# mation of a" cover in"l the `latter case, the mem*- bervvould be"severedalong"the line joining the meeting" endso'f siichiarcs 'to' provide identical sli'ellzp'ortionsasexplained above. A* Y Furtlier'inaccordance with the invention; a fender" or'other ,suitable partof tlie vehicle may, be" providedL with a" Well for receiving' the spare, tire' and preferably' proj e'cting4 upward from the wellis`supportingmeans' fora beading of rub- 251- b'eror" th'e'like: lFa'cli of the 4clam shell :members is provided with anti-rattling"beadingadapted toengage-tlie' fender' adjaCent'the Well@ Each of the"fnfiemiers;'moreovergV is-'formed to be clamped over' triefbeadingspported bythewellso asto 30.1 interlock' the cover with the Well and' firmlyv suppotitl'le covernpla'ce.V When it is desired tmremove thejvc'over; th'emembersfmay beunclamped'and' swiingavvay from eachother suf# ficientlyft'o enablethe freee'dges thereof to be releasedE fronri trie-beading supported by the' welll, andthenfthewovermayfberliited'oz "Suitable i adjustingv `means arranged preferably atatbe endipo'rtions'of the tread covering partVV of thef-cover'arezemployedtoladjust the shells 403i toward and away from each other and provide thefmeansf forclamping thecover in interlocked relationlto the-means projectingfrom the Well.;

' This clai'npingmeans-mayr beheld in` position by a Vsuitable.key-opezrated or otherpsecret lock- 45T: ing:mechanisml Y l 4Provisionis made in the tire cover construe# tion. to hold/the' spare tire against rattling and` diameters; 50i

`Tl'evmetliod embodying the invention is quite simple,- sinceivvith" av series of simple operations Whi-ii= may be performed quickly-fand at low cost; a;l cover``| of the clan-1 shelltype may be constructed'.E Moreover, the coverE is extremely v55;`

i protect the part of the spare wheel simple,.involving a minimum of parts and being capable of being applied and removed expeditiously and, when applied, is held rigidly in place against rattling.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

'Ihis invention in a preferred form is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a cover constructed in accordance with the invention applied'in spare tire covering cooperation with a fender well in a front right fender of an automobile.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially in the plane designated by the line II-II in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the cooperating beading structure shown in reduced size in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the flexible hinge structure appearing at the upper part of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken substantially as indicated by the line V-V in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in plan, taken as indicated by the broken line VI-VI in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a front end elevation, somewhat enlarged, of the cover structure shown in Figure l, but with the cover shell members adjusted apart.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the fender and Well construction for cooperation with the cover embodying the invention.

Figure 9 is an outer plate formed at one stage of the process of making a clam shell cover embodying the invention.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially as designated by the line X-X in Figure 9, and showing in double dotted lines the relative position in which the lower half, after being severed as shown by the single dotted line, is placed at a later stage in the formation of the clam shell cover structure.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the automobile designated generally at I has its front fender 2 provided with a spare tire well 3 for receiving a spare tire 4. The well 3 may be integral with the fender 2 or may be Welded or otherwise suitably secured as at 5. 'I'he depth of the well 3 may be such as to receive half or more or less than half of the spare tire,

and preferably of sucient width to leave clearance between the well and the side wallsof the tire, and also between the well and a hub cap 6 applied to the spare tire carrying wheel 1, by means of hub cap supporting springs 8 or the like.

In accordance with the invention, the well 3 is equipped with strips 9 extending upwardly from the mouth of the well and preferably secured to the well as by spot welding, riveting, or by any other suitable means. Each of the strips 9 has its outer margin I0 flanged outwardly and clinched to a rubber or the like cushioning bead strip Illa, terminating somewhat above the fender 2 as clearly seen in Figures 2 and 3. The purpose for this beading construction is to provide antirattling retaining or anchoring means for a cover embodying the invention and adapted to and tire proside elevation of a dished jecting upwardly from the well, as will appear hereinafter.

The invention involves the provision of a removable cover for the spare tire carried in the well. While the cover may assume various forms, it is deemed sufficient for the present purpose to illustrate and describe one form. In this form, there is provided a pair of members each of which is shaped to extend transversely across substantially half the tread of the tire and each of which has a side portion shaped to cover the portion of the side of the wheel and tire projecting out of a well such as a fender well. These members are substantially identical with each other, one serving for covering the outer Vside portions of the wheel and tire and the other cover member serving for disposition between the vehicle body, such as the engine hood. and the adjacent rear or inner side portions of the spare wheel and tire. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the two cover members are arranged in overlapped relation at the edges of the tread covering portions thereof. For the purposes herein, the cover member with its edge on the outside of the edge of the' other cover member will be termed the "outer cover member, and the other cover member will be termed the inner cover member. The outer cover member II is substantially identical with theinner cover member vI Ia, differing therefrom substantially only in the provision of a radially outwardly offset margin I2, the extent of radial offsetting being determined by the thickness of the material so that the cooperating edge I3 of the inner cover member IIa, when fitted within the offset flange I2, will be in substantial continuation with the normal portion of the other cover` member II. When the edge I3 of the inner cover member Ila is disposed throughout Within the offset portion- I2 of the outer member II, the cover structure is preferably substantially symmetrical with respect to the median plane of a tire when disposed thereover.

While any suitable means may be employed for holding the cover members II and IIa in assembled relation, it is preferred that they be permanently connected substantially midway of the ends of their peripheries by a hinge structure to enable the parts II and IIa to be associated in a manner similar to clam shells. In accordance with the present invention, this result is preferably obtained by the employment of a spring or other flexible strap I4 extending transversely within and across the median plane of the cover structure as shown in Figures 2 andV 4. This strap is united permanently to both cover members I I and IIa as by spot Welding I5, riveting, or any other suitable means, the portion of the strap I4 between its connected ends being unconnected with respect to the cover parts II and IIa. Except for the strap I4, the parts II and IIa are unconnected, so that the strap I4 may afford a spring hinge connection between the cover parts, acting in such a way as normally to either separate or draw the cover parts toward each other to position the entire edge I3 within the marginal flange I2, but yieldable to permit hinging of the parts II and IIa relative to each other about an axis substantially tangent to the lapped margins of the cover parts at the strap I4, such axis being substantially parallel to the median plane of the cover. In order that the hinging movement of the members II and IIa may be effected without interference, a slight amount of clearance at I2a is provided: between" theemarginarlzflangee I2;A and4 thee portion. ofztheicover members. I l wittingqfthereirr:

` This;.elearaneemeed'lonlyzhe4 slight; however, since inEaecordanee:` with :tlietinventiom as iv'wi'llaappear Y 5E; hereinafter only a slight amount of separationi of: theey fresaendsfofxthememberss I l i and a I I anw-ill befoundzanecessary? i l Y f While: 4the `Width oil coverr strueture, `vrl'lent there parts II .andll Iaiare together;(isfsubstantiallyitlieo 101 sametaslthatofzthe Well 3; itis tobeeappreoiatedi thatthe;` widthzofithev coverz'structuresmay bei variedas zdesired'.: The;Widthxshouldebeesuchiass to'iproperlys'aecomniodatetiresfio forlthefsameenominal lsizei Wheeliand a'lsmto oorm'nodate,` such cap Vlzasr may'lrecarriedrbyathef wheel... .The depth'l offtlre .cover structures also.: shouldA befl such' as '.to.- acoommodateotires sois' dife-- ferent-'diameters.=. f

Thezfreermargina'l Vportion I 6'. of^eachiof2theacova erA parts; I I and:` I lau'issbulgedoutwardlysat Ifltos provide i an` .ornamental and reinforcing; beaidnandu also to' provide an elongated'recessfl 8; forfreceiv-Lv ingthe bead. structure I 0 an'd'il a'assoclatedlfw-ithi the Well 3.11 The marginIterminatesinzan enti-hwardly curved .edged Sli-1 tot- Whichis 1 clinohedi. am anti .-rattlin g rubberzor lother fcushionibea'd' 2 lfprol jecting dovvnvvardly. therefrom andi adapted: to:x engage` thev upper surfaceA of? the!n fendeny 2i' andi thereby* prevent metalfto :metalicontacti between'. `thef`lcover memb'erslI I landt? I la andthe iendrerrZ'J.

Theibeadrl llalcarried iby 4the-.tender struetureffproee jects laterally normallytofA such: an extentlthatl `When it is in contact with the inner walliof'ltliea The'closing of thelfover fstructureeiseffeotediby-' any .'suitable'meansg= such iasflthef fclamping means# designated "Jgeiierallyl at112li While therclamping meansismayf-"takee' anyisuitablef ferm-f; the niean'sfillnstratedicornprisesfia: bolt122 ihraving allsubstan'- tiallyfsplierical 'shoulder'lswivelly engagedi'ivvith-` correspondingzbearinglsuriacef2Mina bracket. 25 carriedai by their outerf covert memlzver:7V I'Ii. The: bracket i. 25'1 may; b'e: riveted;r weldedibn otherwise f suitably;l seouredk to? the-,ooverr mem 4'era' I IlA Theshank oi' theV bolt' 22 jiswthreaded andi extends til-:roughiaxnut` 2=fswivelled :a bracketuZT carried-" byfthe inneriy cove-'remembered la;7 in)juxtaposition'1` to .tlie bracketi'il .i Thefbraoket Zlmaysb'e riveted; 1" Welded;` or otherwise snitablyasecured'itolthe cover:v member? I 'I rij 1 Thef swivelinutniZli maybe'foil' any?r suitable? construction?. and i may; conveniently-take# the form: of a cylinder tapped diametrifeally'f@toA receiveftheithreaded vsiriani; fof it `e':bolt-22 andfr'e- 1 ceived inaa'ioylirldrical.opening nthe brazole'etiZlj the.:latterl'leingsltted atiZJtonL permitf-passage Y therethrouglroiftheshankof the bolti'land 'als'o tor permit.: such sha-nlm toi` move relativet toytl'iei brackettl? through anianglel determined byitlfie*V angler iofaseparation `oi lthe fpartsfv II andi I I a:

The :cla-mein@mearis isrsliown irrFigure'G'to be in suelta; condition lasfto hold vthe cover-'structurel closed;v .When ztheicover structureis @in this-con`v dition. andnis` mounted" irifproper 'cooperative reflteA tionto thefspare tire-'andi Wheel; theed'gess I Sioll" the` cover structure aref: dis-posed7 between: thebeading I 0a and the "fnderZS asshown'ii Figures- 2-'and-3`, andlthe beadingfilw isfcompressedlto- Wardftlie'm'edi'an plane ofjtlie Well? 'conv-- pression` tends-1 to preventI rattling oftlie'fY cover" structure relative to `the Well, but it is to heap"-n preoiated i that inno'reventcloes thebeadingl I 0a become 'soracompressed as to l allow` engageme-nti between lth'e'cover 'and the' strap S-projeting fromTL 751ithe wellies Tightening-'frofthe clampingifmeans beading elements being-fthusplacedvunderfpresa surefan'dithus preventing anyrattlingvvhatever;

turegfiit is;necessarytovapply` a:wrench tothe Wrench hold surface 21 thereby permitting the;separative4 movement o'E'the-free marginal Aportionsfor" l the' coverA mem bersfll I =`andfl .'I ab' which vare-enabled 'tohave sepa-- rative swingingl movement by virtue of' the Iflexl iblef'conn'ectionat |115.i The connection atv I4- has been deseribedlaslpreerably resilient although itlis-toibefappreciated thatitne'ed'not be resilient and'may fbe made-*ofaiy Gsuitably durable eXiblef material 4vvhieh will hold =tl1`eparts :together andi yet `-vvill yield `Whenever swinging; movement "simil'ar1 to the' clamshell effect! is desired. When' theA bolts'=22'= haveebeen L backed ofi" to lthe-desired ex-m tent, atfthe forward andrear `end'portions-of the cover; thebraoketsiimay beheld Arb'ythe hands in' engagement W-itlisthe bfoltvshoulders-23 fsoas to hol'dtliefree'iedgeslfoiffthelA cover members II andvl I l i apartfto` sullicient-A extentr to xclear the' laterally extending portions of I' thev r beading I0a= offthef well, so' 'thatc the cover structure mayy b'e-*lifted `past the beading Illa 'and upvof the-tire: When replacing*theicoverstruc ture, tl'iejbraokets 25 lneed 'notbeheld'inengagenient 'with the-bolt shoulders 23 vsince; asthecover` structure lis-shoved down into place; the beading ma will camthe edges l9'-of the-cover members apartiandi allowthef beading 20 -to -come to rest upontheefender 2', preparatoryto the-clamping` of i the fboltsi 22 ands the resultant' Wedgingl of 'the' g 2D between" the underportionsloifthe beading=`li and the top'of" theienderA 2. Iii tlfierloweringy and raisingfof the cover; the `Shanks of the bolts 22 I'may serve conveniently Aaswhandles;

It will be observed that the strips' @and assosciated'fhe'ading Illa-do not extend transversely across'the'mouth ofthe' Well al1-'the front andYA rear ends thereof; Rather; thebeadingg iafI ex; tendsv substantiallyonlyk along the longitudinal sides of AthefWel-l; so `that the free marginal :edges ofthe cover-'membersH'fand IN1/may be sepa= .rated suiiiciently to allow the same to passdovvnA and'iup'b'y the beading Id.

Witlia' View toholdingthe'tire in"rm"engagement with the Well and against rattling, the"cove1'^ structurercomprisingthe parts il and" I'Ia is provided with `a plurality of anti-rattling springs 5G preivrabiy extending. transversely so as to'- engagethe-treadioi the tire-li at-'transversely spa-ced points. The springs ll Weldedja's at 3l "to `the inner'cover'memberA Ila: although rivetingor' other suitable connecting springs arranged i substantially equidistant from the-ends o'tlie` saidcoveringlportions,.are consdered satisfactory," asshovvn;

are preferably' mi y exert pressure'up'orr the=tread of a" tire' of' the' yieldable in -agenerallyfradial directionto 'yieldeably'engage tlie-treadsolitires-of greater diameter'.

Whenthe cover?V structure is1v clampedV in' cooperative relation `to the fender, the springs 30 exert pressure upon the tread of the enclosed tire, thereby substantially preventing rattling of the latter. It'will be observed that the bottom of the well is preferably transversely curved so as to engage the edges of the tread by a substantially wedge action to prevent relative lateral movement of the tire in the well. The springs ttl in the cover structure will have a similar effeet, both as to movement of the tire transversely and in its own plane. When the cover structure is lowered over the tire, should the springs space the cover to such an extent as normally to prevent movement of the free edges I9 of the cover members under the beading Ia, the cover structure may be pressed downwardly, causing the springs 3 to yield suiiciently to allow said free edges I 9 to enter under the beading Iw upon the tightening of the clamping bolts 22. For convenience, one of the bolts may be tightened rst and then the other bolt may be tightened. The springs 30 thus serve not only to allow the cover structure to accommodate tires of different diameters without rattling but also assist in the proper cooperative relation between the lower marginal portions of the cover and the beading Illa. Thus, when it is desired to remove the cover structure and, to this end, the bolts 22 are Abacked oif sufciently to allow the free edges I9 :to move upwardly past the beading Ia, such movement may be elected automatically by the springs 3U' in their tendency to assume .their normal shape. Thereafter the cover need merely be raised to remove it from the tire.

n While either of the cover members Il and IIa .i ay be formed with-the offset outer marginal ange I2, for purposes of appearance it is preferred that the outer cover member be so formed. The flange I2 thus does not appear from the `outerside to be a rawor sharp edge. The ange l2, in addition to the function set forth hereinbefore, also functions as an ornamental and protective beading. Y

If desired, the flange portion I2 could be clinched about-a cushion bead adapted for disposition between the cover members II and IIa to provide a weather-proof seal therebetween. Such a seal would preferably extend the full length of the overlapped-portions of the cover members.

The beading at IUa weather-proofing seal means.

It may be desired to equip the cover structure with a releasable theftproof locking means to prevent unauthorized removal of the cover structure. Such locking means may be of any conventional or other suitable construction, and may be provided in connection with any appropriate part of the cover structure or clamping mechanism. For example, the locking mechanism could be employed in conjunction with the swivel nut 26 and the shank of the bolt 22 in such a manner that the shank is prevented as by a latch keeper projecting thereinto, from turning relative to the nut 26 when locked in place and is free to rotate therein when the locking mechanism is r'eleased. The locking mechanism is indicated at 32 in Figure '7 and may be provided with a keyhole 33 for key operation.

lf desired, a cotter pin, collar or other suitable means could be secured to the bolt shank and opposite to the shoulder 23 for engagement with the rear side of the bracket 25 to forcibly cause separative movement of the cover members II and'20 provides a double as well as anti-rattling vmobile at the mouth and I Ia when the bolt is rotated in a direction to movethe head away from the bracket 2l.

The multi-part shell structure may be formed expeditiously and inexpensively substantially as follows:l

A piece A of sheet material such as sheet metal is stamped out into a shallow pan shape with two spaced parallel adjacent ribs I'I projecting outwardly and preferably symmetrically arranged in respect to an axis of symmetry B of the piece. Such axis in the case of a substantially circular dished member would be a diameter. The dished member is then severed along such axis of symmetry, forming two substantially identical substantially semi-circular shell parts C and D, each having adjacent and in substantial parallelism to the severed edge a coextensive rib II bulged outwardly. The free arcuate margin along the rim of one shell member is oifset radially outwardly, providing a rabbet for overlappingly receiving the corresponding edge of the other part. The cut edge of each part is curved outwardly and clinched about a cushion bead preferably substantially coextensive with the rib. The end portions of said edges on one of the shell members are removed so as not to interfere with the lapping of the members. Substantially halfway between the ends of the rim portions of the-cover members, they are connected by a transversely extending flexible strap which permits the cover members to have relative hinging movement similar to a clam shell structure.

It will be observed that in following this method, duplicate stamping or like operations which would be necessary in the making of substantially identical half shell members is rendered unnecessary since, with substantially a single stamping or the like operation, followed by a cutting operation, the desired half members forming the clam shell tire cover structure may be fabricated.

The cover construction comprising the complementalcover parts II and II a may be applied in the proper cooperative and interlocked relation to the beading IUa and the fender 2 irrespective of the presence or absence of the spare tire 4. This is truesince the mounting of the cover structure is not dependent upon the tire. The cover structure may be rmly clamped in place in the absence of the tire, and thus the und attractive appearance of an uncovered well may be eliminated in the employment of'the present invention.

Except for the heads of the clamping bolts and the brackets associated therewith which are relatively small incomparison with the sides of the cover structure, the onlyl portions of the cover structure having the appearance of projections are the peripheral bead-like flange I2 and the beads I 'I disposed substantially at the juncture of the cover and the fender. The remainder of the cover structure may be entirely smooth, and said portions I2 and I1 serve rather to enhance the appearance of the cover as a whole, and accordingly of the automobile equipped with such cover. While the drawings illustrate the `cover embodying the invention applied to one of the lfront fenders, obviously a like cover may be applied at the other front fender or at the rear fenders or anywhere else on the oar including the rear thereof. l

When the cover structure is locked to the autoof the well, the spare wheel andA tire are also locked to the automobile.

If it is desired to support the spare wheel as from an inner part thereof to a carrier projecting from the automobile, while a part of the spare tire is received in a well of the automobile, the cover could be so formed that its rear part is of arcuate shape so as to provide an opening of l sufficient size to clear the carrier when the cover is shov-ed into and removed from proper tire covering position. Any type of wheel mounting under such conditions may be used, and if desired the wheel may be mounted by means of bolts such as the bolts used in mounting the wheel in service under the vehicle, such bolts passing into the holes la (Figure 2) provided for that purpose.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the connection between the cover andthe well is such that the cover is on the outside. If desired, by a simple reversal of the portions I0, loa, and Il, the portions I1 could be fitted on the 4inside of the straps 9, and the clamping means constructed and operated so as to exert a spreading force on the members Il and Ila so as to cause such reversed ribsll to be forcibly engaged with such reversed beading lila. In such event, the beading 20 could be dispensed with if so desired. Suitable provision would be made at the overlapping portions of the members Il and Ila to take care of the relative movement necessary for such a reversed construction.

It will be appreciated that the members I I and lla could be formed in arcuate shape for covering portions of the tire only, the clamping means in such event operating as described above, the retaining means at the well in such event being correspondingly shortened.

If so desired, the clamping mechanism could be mounted on the fender and engageable with the cover members Il and lla to adjust them toward and away from each other into and out of clamped telescoped engagement with the well beading Illa.

In accordance with the invention the beads mounted at the fender could be made movable away from and toward each other and the cooperating means of the cover relatively fixed, the clamping means being constructed and arranged to move such beading into and out of engagement with such` cooperating means when the cover is disposed over the fender. The cover parts Il and lla in such event could be fastened together rigidly. The beads couldbe inherently springable into interlocked relation with the cover as the latter is shoved down and require manual retraction by means accessible from the outside of the cover before removal of the cover could be ecected, or suchv beads could be cammed into retracted position by forcible raising of the cover.

In all such alternative forms releasable theftproof locking means, key or otherwise controlled, may be employed as explained above.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

l. 'I'he combination of, a fender, a well in said fender for receiving a spare tire, said well having ledges outwardly directed at each side thereof and spaced above said fender, a cover for covering the exposed part of a tire located in said well, including surfaces at each side of said well secured for movement toward and from said ledges, each of said surfaces having terminal portions movable under said ledges and into the space between said ledges and fender, means on said portions for engaging the fender, means on said ledges for engaging said portions and means to force said surfaces together and toward the sides of said well to force said engagement oi' said first two means whereby said portions are gripped between the ledges and fender through said first two means for securing the cover to the well.

2. The combination of, a fender, a well in said fender for receiving a spare tire, said well having ledges outwardly directed at each side thereof and spaced above .said fender, a cover for covering the exposed part of a tire located in said well, including surfaces at each side of said well secured for movement toward and from said ledges, each of said surfaces having terminal portions movable under said ledges and into the space between said ledges and fender, means on said portions for engaging the fender, resilient means on said ledges for engaging said portions` and means to force said surfaces together and toward the sides of said well to force said engagement of said resilient means whereby said portions are gripped between the ledges and fender through said resilient means for securing the cover to the well and whereby, upon withdrawal of said force means, the inherent tendency of said resilient means to return to their normal conditions will relieve said grip, said cover including two vertical halves held together by said forcing means.

3. The combination of a well for receiving a spare tire, said well having ledges projecting therefrom and at each side thereof, a cover for covering the exposed part of a. tire located in said well, including surfaces at each side of said well secured for movement toward and from said ledges, each of said surfaces having terminal portions movable under said ledges for retaining cooperation therewith, resilient means on said ledges for engagingsaid portions, and means to force said surfaces together and toward the sides of said Well to force said engagement of said resilient means whereby said portions grippingly engage said ledges through said resilient means for securing the cover to the well, and whereby upon'withdrawal of said force means the inherent tendency of said resilient means to return to its normal condition will relieve said grip, said cover including means bearing against the tire to assist in holding said cover terminal portions in proper cooperative relation with said well ledges.

. GEORGE ALBERT LYON. 

